Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 10:00 AM

The witness was identified as a friend of Blake Jenson. Detectives Murphy and Armstrong interviewed her at the Yoknapatawpha Sheriffs Department and recorded the interview on a portable tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

Detective Ted Armstrong
Detective Sam Murphy
Jennifer Adams

Detective Murphy: Please state your name and address.

Jennifer Adams: It's still Jennifer Adams. 228 St. Andrews Circle. I remember you two from before.

Detective Murphy:  Katy Brown. I'm sorry we have to see you again under similar circumstances.

Jennifer Adams: That must be an occupational hazard with cops. With me too, I guess. Janice. Katy. And now Blake. It's like I'm cursed.

Detective Armstrong: How did you know Blake?

Jennifer Adams: He was thinking about getting some Leonbergers. Our family breeds them. But we don't just let anybody adopt. We follow a thorough procedure to make sure we're dealing with the right kind of person, that the person is serious. After the first few interviews, Blake said he was no longer interested in getting a dog.

Detective Armstrong: And then you just showed up at his party?

Jennifer Adams: Oh, no. What he said exactly was, "I'm no longer interested in getting a dog, because you've already stole my heart."

Detective Murphy: Blake said that.

Jennifer Adams: Mostly. We were inseparable for months. I felt like I was finally getting the happiness I deserved. You know?

Detective Armstrong: So what happened?

Jennifer Adams: Nothing. Nothing at all. And suddenly Blake was like, "You're too needy." How am I too needy? I never complained about all the time he spent with the band. I never complained about all the time he spent playing video games. I never complained about all the flirting that went on behind my back. But all of a sudden, I'm the one with the problem.

Detective Armstrong: How did you respond?

Jennifer Adams: Not well, I'll tell you that. I couldn't believe my ears. If he thought I was needy before.... I all but threw myself in front of his car. It was a bad few weeks. If it wasn't for the dogs, their unconditional love, I'm not sure what I would have done.

Detective Murphy: Did you try to reconcile?

Jennifer Adams: Not exactly. It was hard, because I didn't want to come across as too needy, so I really made an effort to tone it down. Instead of going over his place every day, I maybe went once a week, just to hang. Instead of texting blisters onto my fingers, I only allowed myself to send him one message a day. I wanted to prove to him that he could have me in his life without feeling smothered.

Detective Armstrong: How did Blake respond?

Jennifer Adams: You mean besides picking up with Madison Expires? The queen of the press-on? Excuse me, Detective Armstrong, but sometimes you men make dogs look like they're choosy.

Detective Murphy: So how did you and Madison get along?

Jennifer Adams: Best friends forever. Not. I was just waiting for Blake to see her for the fake she was. Maybe that was wrong. Maybe if I had fought to win him back, Blake and I would have been out that day. Maybe I could have convinced him that there was more to life than videogames. If I just pushed a little bit more, he might be alive right now.

Detective Murphy: It's impossible to know what might have been.

Jennifer Adams: I suppose you two know that really well. Seeing all the tragedy you do. I spent the morning crying just so I wouldn't break down in front of you. Blake. That he wasted the last months of his life with her. It just kills me.

Detective Armstrong: What time did you get there that day?

Jennifer Adams: I don't know. I don't. Really, I had to work hard not to freak out on the Blake issue. If I start watching clocks, I'm figuring out how many minutes I got to be with him that day, that week. I just couldn't go there.

Detective Armstrong: Were you at his place when the food arrived?

Jennifer Adams: Yes. I was there for that. And then afterwards. Sorry. I guess I didn't get all the tears out this morning.

Detective Armstrong: That's quite all right. Tissues are there to your left.

Detective Murphy: Can you imagine why anybody would be mad at Blake?

Jennifer Adams: Sure, he was special. People who are special, we get picked on sometimes. Jealousy, you know?

Detective Murphy: Would you like to take a break?

Jennifer Adams: No. I'll be fine. It's just that this whole thing, it's not just losing Blake. It's like I'm reliving Katy's death, and my sister's. It's just too much.

Detective Armstrong: We'll finish this up another time. Thanks for coming in.

Interview ends: 10:36 AM